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Pen Pictures Of The Trinidad Players Coming To Jamaica

Many Represented Island In The Intercolonial Tournaments.
Victorious Capt.
Urge To Send Extra Goalie To Join Team After Arrival Here.

THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE by the Sports Editor of the "Port of Spain Gazette" discussing the Trinidad players who will tour Jamaica this month appeared in a recent issue of the "Gazette":

Without contradiction, I state that this year Trinidad Football has been given its biggest impetus since the organisation of a disciplinary body in the colony. For any game whatsoever, the best upliftment that could be obtained is to pit our best local talent against another colony whom we have never before had the good fortune to meet. This seeking of fresh fields has the splendid advantages of witnessing and studying their various methods of play, in some cases to our advantage, whilst reciprocally, our methods of play might be novel to our opponents. Be it as it may, the goodwill that accompanies any football tour always reiterates a certain amount of collaboration which not only extends to sport as a general whole but, also tends to bind more closely together that social and friendly spirit which is so dear to all persons who are proud to be known as West Indians.

This season has added another landmark in our local football history, for despite our Intercolonial and International visits, a selected number of fifteen players will visit Jamaica. Trinidad soccer has profited by the visits of the Aroubians, the Venezuelans, Surinam and of course, the British Guiana and Barbados players. Not that in the least shall I belittle our prowess on the field, but not only would the conquering of "fresh fields" be beneficial to our players in studying new methods, but it would open an avenue for the fostering of a better sporting spirit in a colony which has hitherto been seeking just this opportunity, which should be grasped with both hands by officials of the T.A.F.A. in the interest of sport. The matter of finance has, for a long time been an unsurmountable obstacle in our path, but this impediment has now been removed, and it is with the greatest admiration that I learn that our boys were so anxious to foster and open up the best relations with Jamaica that they were ready to make the trip on an oil tanker.

It is the good spirit and camaraderie that exist between West Indians and West Indians alone (thinking about the game—and the game's the thing) and searching for more channels and outlets to foster better relations, that should bear the fruit of good friendship and unite the sporting world of the West Indies in a closer bond that has never existed before.

The Jamaica Tour

New ground has been broken by the T.A.F.A. through their closing of arrangements to send a representative team to Jamaica where a series of game will be played. The team was selected on Wednesday last, and is booked to sail on December 9th and to return on or about January 10th.

Owing to limited passenger accommodation, only fifteen players have been chosen by the Committee. Mr. A. Wilkinson will lead the side with Mr. B. Tench as Vice-Captain-Manager.

It is well known that many of the best players of the Colony were unable to make the trip, and thus the Selectors were hard put to find a very strong combination. But all things considered, one can safely say they have done their job well.

It is however very regrettable that only one goal-keeper is included, and as there is none amongst the remaining fourteen players capable of taking his place in case of accident or illness, I am sure the T.A.F.A. will give thought to the necessity of nominating another goalie to follow the team by the first opportunity. The Colony's sporting prestige will be at stake when our boys line up to face their opponents in distant Jamaica, and if their last line of defence is not up to standing owing to a poor sub having to be found for Ambard at any time, their confidence and morale will be certainly below par. The Jamaicans themselves, knowing them as I do, will not be over jubilant if a victory goes their way through poor performances of a deputy custodian, and in fairness to them as well as with due regards to our boys, another goal-keeper should be sent to assist Ambard during the tour.

This is a new venture, and everything should be done to make the tour a success for both Colonies. We are unaware of the strenth of the players in the Isle of Springs, and for this reason nothing should be left to chance, and I hope the T.A.F.A. will make great efforts to enable an under study to Ambard to join the team as early as possible after their arrival in Jamaica.

The majority of those selected represented the Colony on former occasions, the exceptions being Jones, and Sutherland.

Pen Picture

A brief pen picture of our lads form during the present season may not be out of place, and hereunder I give a short comment on each and capabilities as exhibited during the League games.

F. Ambard (Shamrock) represented the Colony repeatedly as goal-keeper with marked success. Short and stocky in build but displays great activity between the sticks. He has a safe pair of hands and is best seen with dealing with high shots. Very brilliant at times and uses good judgment in placing himself when under barages.

Arthur Maynard, still the best back in the Island to-day. As cool as he is sure when accurate tackling and kicking is urgently required. A tower of strength to a keeper. Capable of defending the right and left flanks almost at the same time.

J. F. Merry (Casuals) has partnered with Maynard on behalf of the Island during many intercolonial games. Favourite is right back. A good tackler with a very good kick. Positional play is his forté.

D. Galt (Shamrock) is a youngster of great promise who has only left Queen's Royal College a few months ago. He is very lucky indeed to get another opportunity of wearing an Island cap so soon, but his exhibition in the back line for Q.R.C. and Shamrock stamps him as a "good young 'un" who should make good.

Halves

A. Wilkinson (Q.R.C.) skippered many victorious Island teams at home and abroad. When in form is very pretty to watch and plays as though inspired. Drives the ball very far and hard with his left foot, and can almost duplicate the length and power of his shots with his head. A tireless worker who can inspire his mean throughout the sixty minutes' entertainment. He is good in attack or defence. His position is centre half.

Otto Wilkes (Sporting Club) is the left half who can back kick with remarkable ease to the discomfort of his opponents. Owns a very dangerous long shot but seems very reluctant to employ it. Not very easy to pass, and is a bad one to have to play against.

B. Henderson (Trinidad Leaseholds) is a Southern representative. He is a centre half who always finds himself in the right place and at the right moment without any fuss. An able assistant to the forwards who can depend upon him to distribute the ball to the best placed man. He can shoot too, and with either foot, and knows how to get in contact with the ball with his head.

Botha Tench (Casuals) a centre half who is worth his weight in gold. A leach to the opposing centre men who are most dangerous. His unusual height and persistency coupled with a bord love for hard word and doggedness enable him to play soccer in a manner which will win the heart of any crowd.

Forwards

R. Hill (Casuals) is a very clever inside left with the ability to shoot straight from any angle and with either boot. If he can develop an understanding with his team mates, Jamaica goal-keepers will remember him for many a day.

J. Atkins (Sporting Club) is a typical centre forward of the short type. Can use the ball when once he gets it, and is very hard to dispossess. Should make a good combination with Hill which would benefit the side. He is a dead shot when once he gets the range.

H. Burnett (Notre Dame) is a right winger who can fill a centre forward's position with honour. In fact he has been a much better performer in themiddle than on the right end. However he can give a good account of himself from the touch line & at times lands the ball well which generally brings good results. He is very speedy and ca use both feet well.

C. Sutherland (United British) is another Southern representative. He plays in the middle or at inside right. Very tricky and follows up his activities with accurate shots on goal.

P. Jones (Q.R.C.) is the baby of the side though very powerfully built. Is good at any inside position and can also do justice on the right wing.

Bertie Thompson (Prisons) is the speed merchant of the lot. Capable of running through unaided. Has many tricks in his bag with a good shot from any range. He can do good service at inside left or centre forward, or as a half back if necessary.

The selection of the team at such an early period is certainly a sound move, as ample opportunity will be afforded the players to build up a good team spirit through practising and playing matches together when the little outstanding peculiarities of each and every member can be attended to by those who know them for the benefit of all and sundry. It is also possible that some ex-Island representative could be induced to coach the side during practice when many valuable hints could be thrown out and thus assist in welding the selection into a very formidable combination capable of sweeping the board in Jamaica.